Newsletter 101: 14 Things to Improve Your Newsletter Template

After seeing thousands of newsletters sent via beehiiv, we've compiled a list of 14 simple things you can do to make your newsletter look 💯.

Also worth noting— all of these newsletters were created, styled, and sent using beehiiv's no-code newsletter editor. So if you see something you like, consider moving your newsletter to beehiiv.

1. Use custom images for headers

This is especially recommended if you have recurring sections in your newsletter. These custom headers look much better than standard plain-text headers and can help convey your brand identity.

2. Introduce a background color

Everyone's inbox is filled with emails with white backgrounds. If you can find a background color that compliments your newsletter, it can help your newsletter stand out and appear more interesting, encouraging people to engage.

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3. Style your content breaks to be unique

Content breaks are great for breaking up your newsletter into subsequent sections— make yours distinct.

4. Use custom images as content breaks

🤤Unstyled content breaks serve their purpose. 

😎Styled content breaks provide originality. 

🤯Custom image content breaks give your piece a unique edge and allow your content to cut through the noise. 

Try incorporating custom image content breaks to elevate your newsletter. 

5. Start with a strong header image

When people open your newsletter, make a statement with a strong header and/or logo up top.

6. Experiment with a border

It's not for everyone, but if it works with your content, a border can tie the design together, giving your newsletter a unique aesthetic. 

7. Introduce a second font

Find an additional font (or two) to compliment the primary text of your newsletter.

8. Style your images

Most images you see online are standard rectangular with straight edges. Do something to make yours stand out (and keep it consistent). Try rounding the corners slightly, or choosing a completely round image altogether. 

9. Introduce a secondary color

Add some dimension to your newsletter with a secondary color for accents. In the example below you can see that beehiiv uses pink. 

10. Utilize sectional background colors

Highlighting specific content with a background color is a great technique for breaking up the newsletter visually and allowing for certain sections to stand out. 

11. Optimize the readability of your newsletter

Probably the most important but overlooked is optimizing the readability of your newsletter. Some ways this can be accomplished is by ensuring the font isn’t too big or too small and the vertical spacing is even.

12. Diversify font styles

Strategically using bold and italics can effectively emphasize information and diversify the aesthetic of your newsletter.

13. Introduce a unique section or style

Including a consistent section will give your brand character. Try implementing an inspirational quote at the beginning or your newsletter or a fact of the day somewhere in the middle. 

14. End with a personal sign-off

It's the last impression you'll make on your readers, make it fun and aesthetically pleasing.

If you want to see exactly how to accomplish these in beehiiv, check out the video below:

That's all we've got for this post. Be sure to follow me and beehiiv on Twitter to stay up to date on our latest blog content to help optimize and scale your newsletter.